How do I find out if my idea has been done before?

[geekchic9]

Hi,

I have a great idea for a thesis or dissertation, but I'm wondering if it's been done before. Aside from Googling (which delivered nothing relevant), where should I look?

[Mr. Robin Parsons]

Hi,

I have a great idea for a thesis or dissertation, but I'm wondering if it's been done before. Aside from Googling (which delivered nothing relevant), where should I look?
What is the subject matter? :confused:

Have you tried Ask.com .....or yahoo or other search engines or looked at 'Archivex' (Scientific papers) perhaps

Or some of the 'cheat' sites as they would have already used materials on them.

[geekchic9]

It's about measure theory, involving some probability.

I'm afraid that if I tell it on here, and it hasn't been done before, someone will steal it.

I will check out those other search engines.

Thanks,
geekchic9

[Mr. Robin Parsons]

It's about measure theory, involving some probability.
I'm afraid that if I tell it on here, and it hasn't been done before, someone will steal it.
I will check out those other search engines.
Thanks,
geekchic9
You probably already know that if you do it on a net conneted computer, you've probably left a door open to that kind of 'activity' one way, or the other...

Even if you type it on one that is 'Un-connected' scrubbing it off of the Disc is tricky if you don't have the 'right' stuff (Software) as you can be "scanned"...simple enough if your capable at it.

"All Hail Habeas Corpus!"

(AKA your foundation to your identity as Occupant (Owner of what originates from within you, even if your not the 'first' cause if you don't cheat, you will do it your {Owners'} way) of that Body as it has been so publically identified for, courtroom/law/justice/peaceOfficer-services, as 'Is'....O.K.....

If it's math, then you should be able to find originals in Books, and perhaps seaching some of the Science sites for Derivations of those works Know to be present ....Now...careful, there is Lots.

:cool: ?

[geekchic9]

Right now, it's not even worked on at a computer. Only 1 person that I trust and I know the idea. So, I'm not worried about that.

[Mr. Robin Parsons]

Right now, it's not even worked on at a computer. Only 1 person that I trust and I know the idea. So, I'm not worried about that.Best way! but, as it is with any 'work' it must (eventualy) be shown/revealled as to esteem its' merit...

Hope it works out for you. :cool:

Putting it onto a medium that is computer readable, then 'Bleaching' the disc is (should be) good enough protection ....(I) would suspect.

It sorta comes down to just how valuable/valued is the material in question actually is as to just how far to go to protect it.

Clearly your already using the good judgment that you already have, soooo....

[stonebro]

Try to check out the massive online scientific databases, like Compendex;

www.engineeringvillage2.org

You probably need a valid session ID to be able to search all of it at least, check with your University Library or such if they can help you. They should also be able to tell you about more of these databases, there are lots of smaller ones tailored to specific areas of science and technology.

If it's not mentioned in any articles on any of these, it's either very new or very dumb :P